HARTLAND — There wasn’t anything too mysterious about Hartland’s offense on Friday night.
For the most part it was give the ball to running back Joey Mattord, who rushed for 133 yards in the first half. He served as both ballcarrier and decoy in the first half as Hartland rolled out to a 24-7 halftime lead.
But Livonia Stevenson made some adjustments at halftime, shutting down the Hartland offense and pulling to within a touchdown, 24-17, late in the third quarter, much to Mattord’s dismay.
Fortunately for the Eagles, Mattord had one more big play, a 36-yard run around left end that showcased his speed and strength and sealed a 31-17 victory. Click here for a link to the archived broadcast.
It came one play after a Hartland interception put the ball on the Stevenson 36.
“Props to Jacob Fisher for getting that pick for us,” Mattord said. “I was a little frustrated, then took that anger and ran hard with that anger and eventually got it in. Also, thanks to Mitch Cavanaugh for that deep block.”
Mattord saw the block, but his artistry n the play had coach Brian Savage shaking his head.
“I don’t know if we blocked a soul on that play,” he said. “I think it was all Joey making plays. He’s a phenomenal runner and does a great job.”
Mattord finished with 195 rushing yards on 35 carries and two touchdowns on the night.
He got Hartland;s first touchdown after a lng drive to start the game on a 9-yard run in the first quarter.
After Stevenson tied it on an 84-yard pass reception by Aidan Nolan, Hartland quarterback James Butzier faked to Mattord and then went around left end for a 20-yard scoring run. On their next possession. Butzier hit Mitch Cavanaugh for a 37-yard score, and Alex Hernandez kicked a 28-yard field goal as time ran out in the first half.
Stevenson scored on its first drive of the second half which ended on a 21-yard run by quarterback Ar’Jon Thompson, then got to within a touchdown on a 190-yard field goal by Ty Ciuffetelli to make it 24-17, setting up Mattord’s heroics down the stretch.
“They shut us down in the second half,” Savage said, “but our defense did what it has done all year: They kept us in the ballgame, and we got the ball back when we needed it and got one more score, and kind of opened it up. I guess that’s what teams do when you’re playing as a team.”
It appears that Hartland might be on the road for the playoffs, possibly at Holt in the first round. But those thoughts were far from uppermost n the minds of the Eagles, who ended the regular season with two consecutive wins and a 6-3 record. Stevenson finished 4-5 and missed the playoffs.
“It makes it a lot easier,” Savage said of the win. “It’s always nice to know. Now we have to wait and see who we’re going to play. It’s better sitting here than where we could be.”
